Process for the preparation of high molecular thio-ethers



Patented Apr. 27, 1%37 2- rnoos ssroa THE 7 MOLECULAR auras PREPARATION or men 'rino-a'rnuns Alfred Kirstahler, Dusseldorf, Germany, assignor to the firm Henkel & Cie Gcsellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Dusseldorf, Germany N Drawing. Application October 19,

Serial No. 694,344. In Germany December 29,

13 Claims.

I have found that a new class of valuable organic substances can be obtainedif saturated or unsaturated aliphatic compounds with more than 8 carbon atoms in the molecule which contain one or two mercapto groups arev caused to react with 1,2-propylene oxides which are substituted in the methyl residue by reactive groups. Thioethers are thereby formed.

The mercaptans corresponding to the higher fatty alcohols and other alcohols from parafiins may be employed as compounds containing mercapto groups. materials may in their turn be substituted by various groups, provided the latter do not take part in the reaction. Polyvalent mercaptans may also be subjected to the reaction, furthermore derivatives of fatty acids which contain mercapto groups, provided their molecule contains more than 8 carbon atoms.

Epichlorhydrin, epibromhydrin, epihydrin alcohol (glycide), thioglycide and many others may be employed for example as 1,2-propylene oxides which are substituted in the methyl residue by reactive groups. If desired thereactions may also be carried out in the presence of reaction accelerating agents, such as for example concentrated sulphuric acid.

The new compounds may inter alia be employed as softening agents for plastic masses. Furthermore they may serve as starting materials for the manufacture of other technically important products, as will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Example 101 parts by weight of dodecyl mercaptan and 46 parts by weight of epichlorhydrin are heated with 0.2 parts of concentrated sulphuric acid at 120 C. for 8 hours. The product purified by Washing with water and fractionally distilling in a vacuum is aslightly brown coloured oil of low viscosity which boils at 210-220 C. at a pressure of 2 millimetres.

The present application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 644,916,'filed November 29, 1932.

I claim:

1. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing approximately equimolecular proportions of an aliphatic mercaptan having more than 8 carbon atoms in the molecule and containing at least one mercapto group; and a 1,2-propylene oxide Of course, the said starting containing in the methyl residue a reactive group which does not react with the mercaptan.

2. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing approximately equimolecular proportions of an unsaturated aliphatic mercaptan having more. than 8 carbon atoms in the molecule and containing at least one mercapto group; and a 1,2-propylene oxide containing in the methyl residue a reactive group which does not react with the mercaptan.

3. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing approximately equimolecular proportions of an aliphatic mercaptan having more than 8 carbon atoms in the molecule and containing two mercapto groups; and a 1,2-propylene oxide containing in the methyl residue a reactive group which does not react with the mercaptan.

4. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing approximately equimolecular proportions of an unsaturated aliphatic mercaptan having more than 8 carbon atoms in the molecule and containing two mercapto groups, and a 1,2-propylene oxide containing in the methyl residue a reactive group which does not react with the. mercaptan.

5. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing approximately equimolecular proportions of a 1,2- propylene oxide containing in the methyl residue a reactive group which does not take part in the reaction; and an aliphatic mercapto compound having more than 8 carbon atoms in the molecule and containing substituent groups which do not take part in the reaction.

6. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing in the presence of sulphuric acid approximately equimolecular proportions of an aliphatic mercaptan having more than 8 carbon atoms in the molecule and containing at least one mercapto group; and a 1,2-propylene oxide containing in the methyl residue a reactive group which does not react with the mercaptan.

7. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing ap proximately equimolecular proportions of dodecyl mercaptan and epichlorhydrin.

8. A process for the preparation of high molecular thioethers which comprises mixing approximately equimolecular proportions of dodecyl mercaptan and epichlorhydrin in the presence of sulphuric acid.

9. As new products, the thioethers of the general formula RSCH2-CH(OH)-CH2G,

wherein R stands for an alkyl residue having more than 8 carbon atoms.

12. A new product of manufacture consisting of the ('y-chlor-fi-hydroxy-propyl)-dodecyl sulphide.

13. As new products, the thioethers of the general formula RSCH2CI-I(OH)CH2G, wherein R stands for an alkyl residue having more than 8 carbon atoms and G for a reactive group selected from a halogen group and a hydroxy group.

ALFRED ICERSTAHLER. 

